Ezra 4:23
Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
Cross-references
Ezra 4:8 introduces the letter that led to the king's decree; Ezra 4:23 records the forceful execution of that decree — a direct narrative link.
Ezra 4:9 lists the authors of the letter; Ezra 4:23 describes their swift action after reading the king's response — part of the same story.
Ezra 4:17 contains the king's answer that was read; Ezra 4:23 shows the immediate enforcement of that decree — a sequential cause-effect.
Ezra 6:8 records Darius decreeing royal funding for the temple—a direct reversal of the forced stoppage ordered by Artaxerxes here.
Ezra 6:13 shows the same officials diligently obeying Darius's supportive order—contrasting with their earlier enforcement of the stoppage.
Ezra 5:6 introduces a later official letter sent to Darius—continuing the narrative of correspondence and opposition after the work ceased.
Haggai 1:2 reveals the people's own excuse for not rebuilding—contrasting with the external force that stopped the work here.